Device for assisting in tying a necktie

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for enabling a person to tie a necktie so that upon the completion of the knot and required adjusting the wide end will be positioned a predetermined distance below the narrow end of the tie. The device consists of a flat sheet on which are imprinted a plurality of sets of indicia. One set of indicia includes a plurality of spaced-apart numbers which are spaced from a locating point for indicating the length of the tie. Other sets of indicia comprise the same numbers as the first set, extend parallel to the first set, and are spaced a predetermined distance from a set of numbers which corresponds to the neck size of the wearer. The spacing of the numbers of the other sets from the numbers which indicate the neck size of the wearer varies depending upon the style of knot that is to be tied, for example, a Windsor, half-Windsor, or four-in-hand.

United States Patent 1 Weisnicht July 24, 1973 DEVICE FOR ASSISTING IN TYING A NECKTEE Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-William L. Falk [76] Inventor tf f i g gi gf f gf Attorney-Dawson, Tilton, Fallon and Lungmus [22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 226,895 A device is provided for enabling a person to tie a necktie so that upon the completion of the knot and required adjusting the wide end will be positioned a pre- [52] U.S. Cl. 33/180 R, 2/146, 223/11] determined distance bdow the narrow end of the [51] The device consists of a flat sheet on which are im- [58] Field M Search I14 2 l I printed a plurality of sets of indicia. One set of indicia 174 B 174 G includes a plurality of spaced-apart numbers which are spaced from a locating point for indicating the length [56] References Cited of the tie. Other sets of indicia comprise the same num- U T STATES PATENTS bers as the first set, extend parallel to the first set, and 3,57l,935 3/1971 Van Wye 33/180 R are spaced a predetermined distance from a set of num- 3,305,933 2/1967 Munday Jr;-.. 33/189 bers which corresponds to the neck size of the wearer. 2,148,154 1939 G fi t t 146 The spacing of the numbers of the other sets from the a numbers which indicate the neck size of the wearer vara? an ies depending upon the style of knot that is to be tied, 2532? filiiiiiijii:1133313331...........:::::3/112 forexampleawihdsoryhalf-Windsorfour-Mand- 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures FIG.4

Pmmw 'w 31. 747 220 SHEEI 2 BF 2 FIG. 5

1 DEVICE FOR ASSISTING IN TYING A NECKTIE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY Almost every person that has worn a necktie has experienced the aggravating situation of having to tie a necktie numerous times before the length of the wide or front portion of the tied necktie is satisfactory. The tying process is usually a trail and error one, and a satisfactory knot that is obtained on the first try is often a matter of luck;

My invention provides a device for assuring that the wide end of the tied necktie will be a predetermined distance below the narrow end of the necktie regardless of the length of the tie. The device can be used by persons of widely differing neck sizes for tying a variety of different style knots.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, the numeral designates generally a tying device which comprises a flat or planar support member or sheet 11 and a plurality of sets of indicia imprinted thereon, the sets of indicia being indicated generally by the numerals 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

Each of the indicia sets 12-15 comprise spaced-apart numbers running, in the illustration given, from 40 through 64 extending longitudinally along the lower portion of the support member 11 and parallel to the other sets to form a plurality of columns or rows. The numbers of each row are seen to be vertically offset from the corresponding numbers of other rows, the numbers of set 12 being positioned below the corresponding numbers of the sets 13-15, the numbers of the set 13 being positioned below the corresponding numbers of the sets 14 and 15, etc.

The numbers of the set 12 vary by one, andadjacent numbers are spaced one-half inch apart. The numbers of the sets 13-15 comprise even numbers only, and adjacent even numbers are spaced one inch apart. However, one-half inch markings are indicated between adjacent even numbers by indicating marks 19. If desired, the numbers of these sets-could also include odd numbers positioned at these points, or could comprise odd numbers only spaced one inch apart.

The particular indicia sets 16-18 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise consecutively arranged spaced-apart numbers running from 11 to 17 arranged in parallel vertically extending rows which are aligned, respectively, with the rows provided by the sets 13-15. The adjacent numbers of each of the sets 16-18 are also spaced one-half inch apart.

A position indicator 20 is positioned on the support member in vertical alignment with the numbers of the set 12, and the distance of each of the numbers of the set 12 from the position indicator 20 is one-half of the value of that number. For example, the number 40 of the set 12 is spaced 20 inches from the position indicator 20, and the number 64 is positioned 32 inches from the position indicator 20. The position indicator 20 can either be a mark or other indicia imprinted on the support member 11, or it can be a peg or the like which extends outwardly from the fiat support member.

If desired, the various vertically aligned columns at the upper and lower portions of the support member can be appropriately marked to facilitate matching of an upper column with its associated vertically aligned lower column. For example the vertical row defined by the vertically extending set 12 of indicia and the vertically aligned position indicator 20 is indicated by the letters A and B, and the vertically extending columns defined by the vertically aligned pairs of sets 15 and 18, 14 and 17, and 13 and 16 are indicated by the letters C-D, E-F, and G-H, respectively.

The support member 11 can be a sheet of paper, cloth, wood, glass or the like on which the various indicia can be imprinted, and the support member may be hung on a door, wall or the like adjacent the users tie rack. The particular embodiment illustrated includes a decorative border or outline 21 which surrounds the indicia and which has generally the same outline as a tie, but this border is not necessary to the operation of the device.

As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the numbers of the set 13 are used for tying a Windsor knot, and each of these numbers is spaced a predetermined distance from the numbers of the set 16. For example, the number 56 of the set 13 is spaced 23 it inches from the number 15 of the set 16.

Similarly, the numbers of the set 14, which are used for tying a half-Windsor knot, are spaced a predetermined distance from the numbers of the set 17. For example, the number 56 of the set 14 is spaced 22 A inches from the number 15 of the set 17.

The numbers of the set 15 are likewise a predetermined distance from the numbers of the set 18, the number 56 of the set 15 being spaced 21 A inches from the number 15 of the set 18.

From the foregoing, it is seen that each number of the set 14 is spaced 1 5a inches above the corresponding number of the set 13, and each number of the set 15 is spaced 1 inch above the corresponding number of the set 14 and 2 k inches above the corresponding number of the set 13.

The operation of the device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. A person P who wishes to tie a necktie 21 first folds the tie in half so that the point of the wide end 22 thereof is even with the point of the narrow end (not shown). He then positions the midportion of the tie at the position indicator 20 in column A-B, and each end of the tie will be positioned adjacent the number of the set 12 in column A-B which corresponds to the total length of the tie. The person then unfolds the tie and positions the point of the wide end at the number representing his neck size in one of the sets 16-18, depending upon the type of knot that is to be tied. If a person having a neck size of 15 inches wishes to tie at Windsor knot, he positions the point of the wide end of the tie at the number 15 in the set 16 of column 6-1-1. The tie is allowed to hang freely along the column 6-H, and the portion of the tie which is positioned adjacent the number of set 13 which corresponds to the previously determined tie length is grasped by the fingers of one hand. The tie can then be positioned about the wearers neck in the usual manner, and the tying of the tie is begun by placing the portion of the tie held by the fingers over the narrow end portion of the tie which extends around the neck and downwardly in front of the wearer. A Windsor knot may then be tied in the usual manner, and when the knot is completed and positioned at the neck, the point of the wide end will be positioned approximately onehalf inch below the point of the narrow end.

A similar procedure is followed if a half-Windsor knot is to be tied or a four-in-hand knot is to be tied. For example, if a four-in-hand knot is desired to be made in a tie determined from column A-B to be 56 inches long, the point of the large end is positioned at the number of set 18 corresponding to the neck size of the user, and the user grasps the portion of the tie adjacent the number 56 of the set 15. This portion of the tie is then used to begin tying the knot by positioning this portion over the narrow end portion which hangs down from the neck.

The spacing between each of the numbers of the sets 13-15 and the numbers indicating the neck size are determined as follows. When a necktie is tied, its length is divided into four portions which can be designated the long length, the bow length, the neck size, and the short length. The long length is the length of the tie between the point of the wide end and the bow or knot, the bow length is the portion of the tie required to form the bow or knot, the neck size is the portion of the tie required to extend around the neck, and the short length is the length of that portion of the tie between the point of the narrow end and the bow. The point which is determined by the numbers of the set 13-15 determines the length of that portion of the tie required to form the bow and the long length.

Since length of tie long length bow length neck size short length and x long length bow length where x the spacing between a particular number in one of the sets 13 and 15 and a particular neck size number and short length long length h (when the point of the narrow end is desired to be one-half inch above the point of the wide end) then x tie length bow length neck size 'r/Z A Windsor knot requires about 6% inches of material. Accordingly, the space x between any number of the set 13 corresponding to a particular tie length and any number of the set 16 corresponding to a particular neck size can be determined. For example, the number 56 correspondingto a tie 56 inches long will be spaced 24 inches from the number 15 of set 16, and will be spaced 24% inches from the number 14 of the set 16.

A half-Windsor knot requires about 3% inches of tie length, and the number 56 of the set 14 will therefore be positioned 22% inches below the number 15 of the set 17.

A four-in-hand knot requires about 1% inches of tie length to tie, and the number 56 of the set 15 will there- 4 fore be spaced 21% inches below the number 15 of the set 18.

If it is desired to tie the necktie so that the point of the wide end is positioned more or less than one-half inch from the point of the narrow end, the distances between the numbers of the sets 13-15 and the numbers of the associated sets 16-18, respectively, can be varied in accordance with the foregoing formula. For example, if it is desired to position the point of the wide end two inches below the point of the narrow end, the spacing between the numbers corresponding to the tie length and the numbers corresponding to the neck size is determined by the equation:

x (tie length bow length neck size 2)/2 The last numeral in the numerator of the foregoing equation could also be varied depending on whether additional tie material is desired to form a loose knot, to accommodate wide or heavy ties, etc.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, three separate rows 16-18 were provided for indicating the neck size, each row being vertically aligned with one of the rows 13-15. However, since corresponding numbers of the sets 16-18 are horizontally aligned, only one of the sets need be provided for indicating where the point of the wide end should be positioned.

Alternatively, while I have shown corresponding numbers of the sets 13-15 offset in the vertical direction and corresponding numbers of the sets 16-18 aligned horizontally, the arrangement could be reversed so that corresponding numbers of the sets 13-15 were aligned horizontally and the numbers of the sets 16-18 were offset vertically depending upon the style of knot to be tied. In this alternative arrangement, only one row of numbers for indicating the tie length would be necessary, if desired. This single set could be the same set 12 which is used for determining the length of the tie, and the numbers of the various sets 16-18 would be spaced from the numbers of the set 12 in accordance with the foregoing equation.

Although the indicia of the sets 12-15 are numbers corresponding to the length of the tie, other indicia could be used since it is not necessary that the user know the length of the tie in inches in order to use the device. All that the user need do is to remember whatever indicia is adjacent the ends of the tie when the middle of the folded tie is positioned at the indicator 20 and use this same indicium to determine the starting point for tyikg the knot when the point of the wide end is positioned at the appropriate neck size. For example, the length-indicating indicia could be letters. If the ends of the tie in the first step were adjacent the letter F, for example, the portion of the tie adjacent the letter F of the appropriate set 13-15 would be grasped when the point of the wide end was positioned at the appropriate neck size.

The indicia of the sets 12-15 are spaced one-half inch apart. However, this spacing could be less if more accuracy were desired or more if greater tolerances were acceptable.

While in the foregoing specification, detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of my invention were set forth for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that many of the details hereingiven may be varied considerably by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

1 claim:

1. A device for assisting in tying a necktie comprising indicia support means, first, second and third rows of indicia on the support means extending generally parallel to each other, each of the rows of indicia comprising a plurality of numbers spaced-apart longitudinally by multiples of one-half inch, the numbers of each row being longitudinally offset from corresponding numbers of the other rows, and a plurality of indicating means on the support means extending parallel to the numbers of the rows for indicating the neck size of the wearer of the tie, the indicating means for each neck size being spaced a predetermined distance from the numbers of the first, second and third rows.

2. The device of claim 1 including a position indicator on the support means, the numbers of said one row comprising consecutively arranged integers spaced one-half inch apart, the position indicator'being spaced from each of the numbers of said one row a distance equal to one-half of the value of that number.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the indicating means for indicating the neck size of the wearer comprises a plurality of spaced-apart consecutively arranged numbers for indicating neck size, each of the numbers for indicating a neck size being spaced a distance x from each number of the rows of indicia according to the equation a bow size b wk/2 where a is the number of the row and corresponds to the length of the tie, the bow size is the length of that portion of the tie which forms the bow, and b is the number indicating the neck size of the wearer.

4. The device of claim 1 in which the support means comprises a flat sheet on which the indicia of each row and the indicating means are imprinted.

5. The device of claim 1 including a position indicator on the support means, the position indicator being spaced from the numbers of one of the rows so that the position indicators and the numbers of said one row cooperate to indicate the length of the tie.

6. The device ofclaim 5 in which the numbers of said one row comprise consecutively arranged integers spaced one-half inch apart.

7. A device for assisting in tying a necktie comprising indicia support means, first and second rows of indicia on the support means extending generally parallel to each other, each of the rows of indicia comprising a plurality of numbers spaced-apart longitudinally by multiples of one-half inch, the numbers of each row being longitudinally offset from corresponding numbers of the other row, and a plurality of indicating means on the support means extending parallel to the numbers of the rows for indicating the neck size of the wearer of the tie, the indicating means for each neck size being spaced a predetermined distance from the numbers of the first and second rows. 

1. A device for assisting in tying a necktie comprising indicia support means, first, second and third rows of indicia on the support means extending generally parallel to each other, each of the rows of indicia comprising a plurality of numbers spacedapart longitudinally by multiples of one-half inch, the numbers of each row being longitudinally offset from corresponding numbers of the other rows, and a plurality of indicating means on the support means extending parallel to the numbers of the rows for indicating the neck size of the wearer of the tie, the indicating means for each neck size being spaced a predetermined distance from the numbers of the first, second and third rows.
 2. The device of claim 1 including a position indicator on the support means, the numbers of said one row comprising consecutively arranged integers spaced one-half inch apart, the position indicator being spaced from each of the numbers of said one row a distance equal to one-half of the value of that number.
 3. The deVice of claim 1 in which the indicating means for indicating the neck size of the wearer comprises a plurality of spaced-apart consecutively arranged numbers for indicating neck size, each of the numbers for indicating a neck size being spaced a distance x from each number of the rows of indicia according to the equation a + bow size - b + 1/2 /2 where a is the number of the row and corresponds to the length of the tie, the bow size is the length of that portion of the tie which forms the bow, and b is the number indicating the neck size of the wearer.
 4. The device of claim 1 in which the support means comprises a flat sheet on which the indicia of each row and the indicating means are imprinted.
 5. The device of claim 1 including a position indicator on the support means, the position indicator being spaced from the numbers of one of the rows so that the position indicators and the numbers of said one row cooperate to indicate the length of the tie.
 6. The device of claim 5 in which the numbers of said one row comprise consecutively arranged integers spaced one-half inch apart.
 7. A device for assisting in tying a necktie comprising indicia support means, first and second rows of indicia on the support means extending generally parallel to each other, each of the rows of indicia comprising a plurality of numbers spaced-apart longitudinally by multiples of one-half inch, the numbers of each row being longitudinally offset from corresponding numbers of the other row, and a plurality of indicating means on the support means extending parallel to the numbers of the rows for indicating the neck size of the wearer of the tie, the indicating means for each neck size being spaced a predetermined distance from the numbers of the first and second rows. 